Apparatus for cleaning a bowling pin



y 1962 H. c. BEHRENDT 3,036,320

APPARATUS FOR CLEANING A BOWLING PIN Filed March 25, 1960 Y 2Sheets-Sheet 1 @NSZ T 5. E z.

INVENTOR. HERMAN C. BEHAE/VOT ,47' TO/QIYEKSI 3,035,320 APPARATUS FORCLEANING A BQWLING rm Herman C. Behrendt, 2312 University, Des Meines,Iowa Filed Mar. 23, 1960, Ser. No. 17,212 1 Clai. (Cl. 15-21) Thisinvention relates generally to apparatus for cleaning an article andmore specifically to improvement in an apparatus for the cleaning of abowling pin.

In recent years there has been a large increase of automation instilledinto the game of bowling. Not only have there been automatic scoringmachines, but there have been installed in almost every bowling alley,automatic pin setting machines. Due to the use of the automatic pinsetting machines, there is an increased requirement for a constantchange ofbowling pins. As is well realized due to the speed-up of thegame caused by the use of the automatic pin setters, the bowling pinsare in constant use and as such receive more Wear and contact with thebackstop and the floor member in a much shorter period of time. It hastherefore become necessary to providea quick means for the cleaning ofthe increased number of bowling pins that are used.

Heretofore it has been necessary to utilize large bulky equipment forthe cleaning of the bowling pins. The cleaning apparatus is not onlybulky and expensive but the structure of this equipment hasbeen suchthat the parts are not easily replaced-and the maintenance cost is veryhigh.

It is therefore the primary object of this invention to provide abowling pin cleaning device which is not only compact in size but is soconstructed to-have replaceable parts to reduce the maintenance cost.

The specific object of this invention is to provide a bowling pincleaning apparatus which has a rotatable drum in which the bowling pinis inserted coming into contact with a plurality of spring loaded brushmembers to perform the cleaning operation.

Another object of this invention isqto provide an improved bowling pincleaning apparatus in which the entire surface of a' bowling pin-Willcome into contact with rotating, contoured brushi members resilientlymounted within the housing 'to perform the cleaning operation.

A still-furtherobject of this invention is-to provide an-improvedbowling pin cleaningapparatus in which the cleaning container is'easily' removed from the drive motor.

Another object-of'this invention is to provide a resilient releasableholdingmeans .for the end of the cleaning brushes within the cleaningcontainer.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, the-invention resides inthe following specification and appended claims, certain embodiments anddetails of construction of which are illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings, in

= which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view illustrating an operator placing abowling pin into the bowling pin cleaning apparatus of this invention;

, pin cut away showing the connection with the bowling pin holding tool;

FIGURE is a plan view of thespring loaded holding tool;

$336,329 Patented May 2%, 1962 meal 1 FIGURE 6 is a section view takenalong the lines 6-6 of FIGURE 5; and

FIGURE 7 is a section view taken along the lines 77 of FIGURE 5.

Referring now particularly to the drawings, a bowling pin cleaningapparatus of this invention indicated generally at l, which includes anupper cleaning section 2 which has an outside housing 3. The outsidehousing 3, being of any suitable non-corrosive metal, is in cylindricalshape and is provided with 'an opening 4 on its upper surface 5.Referring specifically to FIGURE 4 the upper surface 5 of the container3 has a contoured surface with the opening '4 being centrally locatedtherein. The periphery of the opening 4 has a rounded lip member 6. Thecontour of the lip member 6 provides for smooth easy insertion of abowling pin intothe container 3, and also assures no "additionalscratching or marring of .a bowling pin.

Centrally mounted on a lowersurface 7 of the container 3 is a connectingsleeve member 8. Sleeve member 8 is secured to the surface 7 by anysuitable means, as by welding. The sleeve member v8 has a lower recessedportion 9 which'engages -a corresponding bearing supportsecured to themotor housing frame which will be type connection and it is easily seenthat the upper cleaning housing can be easily removed from the driveshaft.

The frame structure 13 not only provides a housing for a drive motor 14but also provides a stable base for the bowling pin cleaning apparatus.Centrally mounted on the upper surface of the frame 13 by means ofholddown screws 15 is a protruding bearing support 16.. A thrust bearing17 is secured in the mount 16 through which the drive shaft 12 passesand engagm the sleeve 8. The bearing supportldhas its upper portionengaged with the recessed area f the sleeve8. Thus it is easily-seen-not only does the invention provide an easy quick disconnect ofthe cleaning housing 3 from the drive motor frame structure 13, but italso provides a protective shield. for the thrust bearing 17 byv meansof. the sleeve 8.

The drive shaftlZ extends in a downwardly direction passing through athrust bearing 18 which is secured in a-bearing mount 19. The mount 19is secured to the frame structure 13 by a plurality of screw membersZO.

vA pulley member 21 isfkeyed or secured to the lower end of the driveshaftiZ. The pulley 21, being driven ,by the belt .22, receives itspower from a corresponding pulley attached to the drive motor 14. Linearmovenaent of the drive shaft 12 is prevented by a bearing member23whichis securely held to the lower surface of the'frame structure 13.

Referingnow specifically to'FIGURES 2, 3 and 4, a plurality of brushmembers 24 are resiliently mounted 12G apart within the housing- 3. Eachof the brush members 24, being of any suitable commercial brush mate-"riaL-has a contoured metal backing plate 25. The metal backing plate 25has a contourcorresponding to that of is illustrated in the drawing as:being connected by a plurality. of pins 26.

Referring now specifically to FIGURES 2 and 4, the

backing plate 25 is secured toa resilient holding bracket indicatedgenerally by the number 2'7. The holding bracket 27 has two side members28 which have slotted openings 29. The side members 28 are secured as bywelding to the housing 3 and extend inwardly towards the center of thehousing 3. Adapted to slide within or between the members 28 is aplunger 30. The plunger 30 connects or telescopes over a pin member 31protruding from the metal backing plate 25. The pin 31 is secured to thebacking plate 25 by any suitable means'such as welding. A compressionspring 32 is positioned between the two side plates 28 and behind theplunger 30 whereby one end of the compression spring will be forcedagainst the housing 3 while the other end is acting on the plunger 29.To keep the brush member 24 and plate member 25 from turning or twistingdue to the rotary action of the housing 3 the holding bracket 27 has acotter pin 33 which passes through the slots 29 in the side members 28and also through an opening 34 in the plunger 39. Thus it is easily seenthat through the action of the holding bracket 27 the brush members areurged in an inward direction towards the bowling pin and are held insecured relationship from any torque set-up due to the rotation of thehousing 3. The holding bracket 27 is positioned towards the upper end ofthe' housing 3. The

advantage of locating the holding brackets 27 in this position will bediscussed later.

Referring now specifically to FIGURES 3 and 4, a resilient releasableholding attachment, indicated generally by the numeral 35, for holding alower tip 36 of the contoured backing plate 25, is secured to the loweror bottom surface of the housing 3. The locking attachment 35 has abracket 37 through which passes a shaft member 38. The shaft member 38is urged in an inward direction by a compression spring 39. A cotter pin40 passing through the shaft 38 prevents the shaft from being urgedthrough the bracket '37. The compression spring 39 has one end pressingagainst the bracket 37 and the other end pressing against a plate 41 inwhich the shaft 38 terminates.

Centrally secured to the lower portion or surface of the housing 3 is atip brush bracket 44. The brush bracket 44 being hexagon in shapeprovides a plurality of side wall members 45 alternate ones of which areprovided with terminal outwardly extended and upright lips 60 spacedapart to receive the plate 41 therebetween. The upper ends 61 of thelips 60 are flared or bent away from each other, while the upper surface62 of the plate 41 is tapered or inclined downwardly toward the bracket44 which is of any suitable corrosive resistant metal, and fixedlysecured to the bottom wall of container 3. Centrally mounted on thebracket 44 in order to come in contact with the uppermost point of thebowling pin is a brush 46. The brush 46 is secured to the bracket 44 byany suitable means, illustrated in the drawings as being a friction fitpin 47.

Referring specifically to FIGURE 4 now, the action of the holdingattachment 35 forces the tip or lower portion 36 of the backing plate 25into contact with a side 45 of the bracket 44, at a position betweenapair of lips 60. It is obvious that the holding of the tip portion 36between the lips 60 and plate 41 will urge the complete brush member 24and backing plate 25 in an inward direction in conjunction with theaction of the holding bracket 27 when the bowling pin is removed. Thebrushes 24 maintain their position upon removal of the bowling pin dueto the over center position of the holding bracket 27 in which theweight of the assembly will keep the pin member 31 within the plunger30.

It is obvious that to remove the brushes 24 all that is required is tomove the brush towards the center of the container 3 until the pin 31clearsthe recess in the plunger 30 and then pull in an upward directionto disengage the '61 of the lips 60, and the inclined surface 62 of theplate I 4 1 acting as guides, and then placing the pin 31 into a closedposition.

the recess of plunger '30. Stated otherwise, the lips 60', a side 45 ofthe bracket 44 and a corresponding plate 41 form an expansible socketfor receiving the lower end tip portion 36 of a backing plate 25.

Referring now to FIGURES 2 and 4, a plurality of stationary guardmembers 48 are positioned apart between adjacent brush members. Eachguard member, being permanently secured to the inner surface of thecontainer 3, has a contoured surface corresponding to that of the largerportion of the bowling pin. The stationa-ry guards 48 function to guidea bowling pin as the pin is inserted, within the opening 4 to a fullyextended position Within the circle or ring formed by the brushes 24. Asis apparent upon entrance of the first portion of the bowling pin withinthe container 3 the torque action of the brushes will have a tendency toforce the tip or head of the bowling pin to a position between a pair ofadjacent brushes, but as the tip tries to move to such position it willcome into contact with a stationary guard member 48 and be guided towardthe center of the housing 3.

Located near the lower portion of the container 3 is an outlet 49 sealedby a removable plug 50. This provides an adequate means for draining thecontainer 3 of any cleaning liquids therein.

In utilizing this bowling pin cleaning apparatus the container 3 isfirst filled with a detergent or cleaning liquid. After the propersolution is in the container 3 and the drive motor has the cleaningcontainer in a spinning condition, the bowling pin is inserted throughthe opening 4 while being held by a special plier like tool 51 which isto be explained later. It is quite obvious that through the action ofthe spring operated brush members 24 and the tip brush member 46, thecomplete surface of the bowling pin will be in constant contact with thebrushes and the cleaning solution.

The plier like tool 51 is used to hold the bowling pin in a securedposition while the cleaning operation is taking place and includes apair of handle members 54 integrally formed at one of their ends withtong or gripping members 52. A spring 53, arranged in compressionbetween the handles 54 urges the gripping members 52 to As best shown inFIGURE 6 each member 52 is of a semi-circular shape in transverse crosssection, and in closed position form a substantially cylindrical unit ofa size to be freely received within the usual cavity 67 formed centrallyin the base of a bowling pin.

The handle members 54, pivot about a pivot pin 55 having one end 64threaded into one of the handle members 54, and its headed end 65loosely received within a tapered hole 66 formed in the other handlemember 54. The loose fit about the pin 55 is provided so that one handlemember is free to move relative to the other. Positioned forwardly ofthe pivot pin 55 is a guide pin 56 utilized to keep the gripping or tongmembers 52 in iongitudinal alignment. It is easily seen that it is onlynecessary for the operator to insert the tip or gripping portions 52 ofthe tool 51 into the bottom opening 67 of the bowling pin and then bypressing together the handle. members 54 to move the gripping members 52away from each other into frictional engagement with the side wall ofthe opening or cavity 67, holding the pin while it is beingcleaned bythe cleaning apparatus.

While the apparatus of this invention is shown and described withparticular reference for the cleaning of bowling pins, it is apparentthat many of the features shown may be used in a variety of combinationsand with other attachments for cleaning other structures of differentcontour and that many'of the details thereof may be considerablymodified wihoutdeparting materially from :the features of the inventionas claimed.

What is claimed is:

In a device for cleaning bowling 'pins having a base 7 section and areduced neck section, including'a rotatable tom Wall and a side Wall, aplurality of brush means each contoured to the shape of a bowling pinand including a back member, said brushes positioned upright within saidcontainer in a circumferentially spaced relation concentric with saidside wall, with the portion of a brush back member contoured to the neckportion of a pin being lowermost, and the portion thereof contoured tothe base section of a pin being uppermost, means corresponding to saidbrush means for releasably and yieldably receiving the lower end of acorresponding back member against radial and circumferential movementrelative to said container, a plurality of side wall supported meanscorresponding to said brush members and arranged at positions oppositethe uppermost portion of a corresponding back member, with each of saidside wall supported means including a plunger member extended radiallyof said container and formed with an axial cavity in the inner endthereof facing a corresponding back member, means for biasing saidplunger toward a corresponding back member, and a projection on a backmember receivable Within the cavity of a corre sponding plunger, withthe lowermost end of each back member being releasably held at aposition inwardly of the container relative to the inner end of acorresponding plunger, whereby a brush means is removed from within thecontainer by initial disengagement of a pin from a plunger and upwardmovement of the brush means from a bottom Wall supported means.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS655,474 Blakeslee Aug. 7, 1900 891,061 Hansen June 16, 1908 981,417Halsey et a1. Jan. 10, 1911 1,122,165 Schoening Dec. 22, 1914 2,225,272Home Dec. 17, 1940 2,839,769 Vacanti June 24, 1958 2,907,059 CornettOct. 6, 1959

